Belgian Foreign Ministry Summons Chinese Envoy Over Alleged Cyberattack on Parliamentarians

The Belgian Foreign Ministry has summoned the Chinese envoy following allegations of a cyberattack on Belgian parliamentarians. According to media reports citing an FBI report, the laptops of Els Van Hoof, the chair of Belgium's Foreign Affairs Committee, and vice-chair Samuel Cogolati were hacked by Chinese hackers in 2021 via emails.

Van Hoof, who is a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), a global forum that safeguards democratic rights, believes her activities in this domain have made her a target. She found out about the attack last month through the FBI report, which confirmed that hackers gained access to her computer and IP address, meaning her location has likely been tracked since 2021. "I feel like I am working with my windows and doors open," Van Hoof said, adding that the intention was to "intimidate" her.

Cogolati, who was also targeted in the same round of attacks, expressed frustration at the lack of a strong official Belgian reaction to the cyberattacks, which he believes is due to a "lack of political will." The two MPs were among hundreds of European politicians, activists, and journalists targeted by the same wave of cyberattacks.

Why this matters: This incident is the latest in a series of allegations of Chinese spying in Europe, and tensions between Beijing and Western powers over espionage have been rising. It highlights the growing concern over China's alleged espionage activities and the potential threat to democratic institutions and processes.

Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib said that the Chinese charge d'affaires will be summoned, emphasizing that members of Parliament must be able to work freely, which is the foundation of Belgium's democracy. The full extent of the impact of the cyberattack remains unclear, but the Belgian state security services had checked Van Hoof's laptop in September 2021 and did not find anything suspicious at the time.

Van Hoof has called for the creation of a parliamentary team dedicated to digital security and the provision of information sessions for politicians about online safety. The incident has led to heightened concerns over the vulnerability of politicians and the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures to protect against foreign espionage attempts.

Key Takeaways

• Belgian lawmakers Els Van Hoof and Samuel Cogolati were targeted in Chinese cyberattacks.
• The attacks aimed to "intimidate" Van Hoof, a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China.
• Belgium summoned the Chinese envoy, citing the need to protect parliamentary freedom.
• The full impact of the attacks remains unclear, but raised concerns over political cybersecurity.
• Calls for a dedicated parliamentary team and information sessions to enhance online safety.